TEFL Blog

Being a teacher is rewarding, but the pay can be less than optimal. The summer is a great time for teachers to earn a little extra money. With the right gig, you can even carry that work into the school year. Let’s find out how you can choose the right side hustle this summer.

Finding Work

Many teachers easily find summer-only jobs. According to U.S. News, some of the most ideal options include teaching summer school, becoming a camp counselor, or working at other seasonal attractions. What if you want a side job to last you all year? Here are some good ideas:

Jobs That Use Your Teaching Skills

The most obvious choice is a job that uses some skill you already have from your teaching career.

TutoringWhile this is an ideal job for a teacher, you might be prohibited from tutoring in your contract so check that first. Consider entering a completely different tutoring route, like teaching adults or online tutoring.

Online TeachingSlightly different from tutoring is online teaching at a place such as Skillshare or Udemy. This article from Redbooth covers the pros, cons and payment of the most popular online teaching services.

Freelance ServicesOnline writing, creative photography, and web design are just a few of the side jobs you can do while you are a teacher. This may also give you an opportunity to use your academic skill set. For example, a science or health teacher can write for blogs in those fields.

Test Scoring JobsScoring exams for a test prep company or tutorial service is obviously a sensible fit for a teacher. Learn which companies offer work at The Balance Careers.

Jobs That Are Completely Different

This is a good option if you want a break from teaching at your side hustle.

Gig Economy JobsThese can be an easy way to make some side money when you need it throughout the year. These short term jobs allow you to do things like rent home space (Airbnb), drive people (think Uber), and deliver packages when you’re available. Check out these 20 platforms for gig economy jobs.

Network MarketingSome people dislike this line of work and if that’s you, skip over this. That said, teachers can and do make money as consultants in direct sales companies. It’s all about doing the work and finding the right person to coach you. There are tons of companies – and that means a lot of pros and cons. Read the “truth” about teachers and networking marketing at We Are Teachers.

Non-Profit WorkNon-profit jobs may not pay well, but according to this post from Education Degree, they can be a good fit for teachers since they are knowledgeable about working on a budget. You can also work on areas that matter to you.

Child careYou can also provide child care for families at night and on weekends. It’s not like teaching but your experience with children can make you invaluable. Additionally, you can earn some good money depending on where you are located.

If you need more ideas for side jobs, read this list from Lauren Greutman.

Creating A Workspace

A job on the side does require you to be organized with your taxes, track your expenses, and detailed about your income. It’s a good idea to create a home office to handle the administration and/or work your side gig requires.

Be sure that your space allows you to have the time and space to get work done. You may want to set “office hours” to let your family know you need this time to get your for your gig.

It’s important to properly equip your office, too:

A computer or laptop will help you keep organized.

You’ll need a printer for most jobs.

A filing cabinet is needed for important documents, tax paperwork, etc.

You should have a stable Internet connection as well, to connect with clients, seek projects, and do your accounting.

There are many options to choose from if you want a side gig that you can keep when school resumes. Choose the one that’s right for you.**Guest blog post by Joyce Wilson.**